Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at 7:35 AM on April 21 at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that he passed away at the Santa Marta Residence, located next to St. Peter’s Basilica, after struggling for the past month with serious health issues.
In the hours following his death, many have reflected on lesser-known facts about his life—including the surprising reason he gave up television entirely and why he broke that vow only twice in over three decades.
The Reason Pope Francis Gave Up Television Forever
In his autobiography Hope, published earlier this year on January 14, 2025, Pope Francis shared that the last time he voluntarily watched television was on July 15, 1990. At the time, he was living in Buenos Aires.
“That night, we were watching TV in the community when a sordid scene came on the screen that deeply disturbed me. I got up and walked away,” he wrote.
Though he didn’t reveal exactly what he saw, his use of the word “sordid” hints that it could’ve been something violent, sensationalist, or perhaps sexual in nature. Whatever it was, it left a strong enough impression for him to make a life-altering decision.
A Promise to the Virgin Mary—and Two Exceptions
Shaken by what he saw, he made a personal vow to the Virgin of Mount Carmel never to watch TV again.
“It was as if God told me television wasn’t for me—it didn’t do me any good,” he explained.
Yet, two major world events prompted him to break that promise:
- In 1999, following the tragic crash of flight 3142 in Buenos Aires, which killed 65 people.
- On September 11, 2001, during the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, where nearly 3,000 people lost their lives.
Apart from these two moments, Pope Francis reportedly stayed away from television entirely for the next 24 years.
His choice to avoid television was part of a broader lifestyle of reflection, prayer, and simplicity—principles that shaped his papacy and personal path. As the world reflects on his legacy, this intimate story reminds us of the quiet convictions that guided him behind the scenes.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Fernando Eslava in Cultura Colectiva.
